The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken steps to restrict unregistered VPN services in Pakistan. Sources within PTA informed ProPakistani that unregistered VPNs are being blocked through a firewall system and will remain inaccessible until they are whitelisted.
PTA representatives highlight that unregistered VPNs present security risks by potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data and illegal or objectionable content. The move aims to safeguard public and organizational data in Pakistan and prevent access to content deemed illegal under the country’s regulations.
Key Background on VPN Registration and Security Concerns
The PTA first introduced VPN registration in 2020, and in the past four years alone, around 20,500 VPNs have been officially registered, involving 1,422 businesses and organizations. As of this recent action, PTA intends to expedite the VPN registration and whitelisting process to enhance data security and prevent unauthorized usage.
Countries with stringent VPN regulations include China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others, where unregistered VPNs are blocked. In regions like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, VPN usage is allowed primarily for business purposes. According to PTA sources, Pakistan has no restrictions on VPNs registered for business use.
Free VPN Access Issues Reported by Pakistani Users
Many internet users in Pakistan have encountered difficulties accessing free VPN services in recent hours. Free VPNs were commonly used to access the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is currently banned in Pakistan by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, despite his own use of the platform via VPN. The recent move has raised questions about public access to restricted content and prompted complaints from users who relied on VPNs for such access.
PTA has yet to issue an official statement regarding the VPN shutdown.
